Pharmacy (Online)

Our Online Pharm.D. Program (OPP) puts a new career in reach by combining online and limited on-campus instruction in Pittsburgh with educational technology that supports your academic needs and helps you balance school, work, family and other commitments. Evening hours are minimal and summers require hands-on clinical experiences only, no coursework.

Quality online courses paired with outstanding clinical experiences will prepare you for the evolving fields of pharmacy practice and healthcare. One day per week, you’ll join synchronously online. The on-campus component, which includes one week in October and May for the first year and one week in May for subsequent years, offers valuable in-person skills-based learning and networking opportunities.

The first three years include primarily online instruction and introductory clinical experiences in pharmacies.

The fourth year includes real-world clinical experiences in a variety of practice settings, preparing you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a difference in patients’ lives and become a valued member of any healthcare team. 

Online students must meet prerequisite course requirements from a four-year accredited college or university in the United States and must participate in an online interview. The OPP is not a PharmCAS participant.

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Program Information

Elevate your career with our online Doctor of Pharmacy program. Flexible and accessible, gain the skills needed to excel in pharmacy from anywhere. Apply now!

Program Type

Major

Degree

Doctorate

Duration

4 Years

Required Credit Hours

142

Questions About The Online Pharm.D. Program?

Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA

Executive Director of Enrollment Management and Retention

Sam Pulver, M.S.Ed.

Coordinator, Admissions

Why Choose Us?

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses, offered every semester starting in the professional phase, help student pharmacists develop and maintain professional skills and build confidence, credibility and expertise in areas including advocacy, career exploration, interview skills, licensure exam preparation, study strategies and more. Additionally, the School of Pharmacy offers six academic concentrations including acute care, ambulatory care, community practice, and geriatrics, allowing student pharmacists a more customizable pharmacy education. All of our student pharmacists earn immunization, tobacco treatment specialist, and pharmacist-patient care network certificates with the option to earn additional certificates in diabetes care, Medication Therapy Management (MTM), substance use disorders, point-of-care testing, and healthcare leadership.
Duquesne University student pharmacists graduate with 1,784 hours of Experiential Education experience and develop a wide range of skills in different practice settings. The Office of Experiential Education works directly with student pharmacists to schedule available rotations according to their career goals and interests, exposing student pharmacists to many potential career paths at a variety of unique and prestigious practice sites including the Allegheny General Hospital, UPMC, Cleveland Clinic, Eli Lilly & Co., Indian Health Services, Johns Hopkins Hospital, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the University of Perugia in Italy.
The School of Pharmacy boasts 18 pharmacy student organizations, with areas of focus like addiction and rehabilitation, pediatrics, psychiatry and mental health. We also have Duquesne University chapters of national pharmacy honors and leadership societies and four professional pharmacy Greek organizations.
Pharmacists-the most accessible healthcare professionals-engage in many unique professional roles including educator, medical counselor and health care advocate. The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy remains the only pharmacy school in the country to require participation in a professional development and advocacy course for graduation. Student pharmacists not only learn to advocate for the profession, but gain confidence in doing so. Started in 2012, the annual Professional Development and Advocacy Class Experience exposes student pharmacists to legislation affecting the pharmacy profession. The School of Pharmacy holds several other special events and programs throughout the year.
The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy features four Academic Research Centers. The Center for Pharmacy Care provides health and wellness services to faculty, students and Duquesne University employees. The Center for Pharmacy Practice, a simulated pharmacy experience, introduces student pharmacists to working in community pharmacy and clinical practice settings. The Center for Pharmaceutical Technology focuses on the advancement of pharmaceutical manufacturing and features state-of-the-art analytical and manufacturing equipment. Finally, the newest Academic Research Center, the Center for Integrative Health, trains the next generation of practitioners to address health care disparities and improve health equity in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Conduct research with the world-class faculty that are developing new drugs, seeking methods for curing diseases, improving the quality and safety of drugs, and enhancing patient care. Students can participate in active research projects with our faculty members for credit or as volunteers. Our students publish papers, posters and give presentations on the research that they have conducted at Duquesne.

Prerequisites

1. Prerequisite Courses (36 Credits)
These courses must be taken at an accredited 4-year college/university or 2-year community college.

Pre-Requisite Course

Credits

General Biology I & Lab

4

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

Microbiology

3

General Chemistry I & Lab

4

General Chemistry II & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry I & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry II & Lab

4

Calculus I

4

Statistics

3

Total Prerequisite Credits

36


2. Background Check
Complete background check conducted by Castle Branch and Child Abuse Clearance conducted by Pennsylvania Child Welfare Portal.
1. Prerequisite Courses (64 Credits)
These courses must be taken at an accredited 4-year college/university or 2-year community college.
Grade of “C” or better required.

Course Title

Credits

Science Credits

29

General Biology I & Lab

4

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

Microbiology

3

General Chemistry I & Lab

4

General Chemistry II & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry I & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry II & Lab

4

Math Credits

6-7

Calculus 1

3-4

Statistics

3

English Credits

6

English (Comp and Literature)

3

English (Literature)

3

Humanities Credits

21

*Must include one Ethics course

 

Total Prerequisite Credits

63


2. Background Check
Complete background check conducted by Castle Branch and Child Abuse Clearance conducted by Pennsylvania Child Welfare Portal.

Become A Pharmacist

Transfer into or join as a graduate student the Online Pharm.D. program. Contact Samuel%20Pulver, Admission Coordinator, to learn more about you specific situation!

In the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program, student pharmacists complete courses in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy administration and participate in a series of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations at different sites and with different areas of focus.

Earn your Pharm.D.! After graduating from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, all graduates complete the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and other licensure required on a state-by-state basis.

Many graduates opt to complete optional residency programs. A residency program focuses on a specific area of pharmacy; for example, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers PGY1 residency programs focused in ambulatory care, community practice, specialty pharmacy and long-term care and a PGY2 residency program focused in internal medicine.

Further specialization options for licensed pharmacists include earning board certification in a specialty area of practice. Some examples include:

  • Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP)
  • Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP)
  • Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS)
  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
  • Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP)

Dual Pharm.D./B.S. In Pharmacy Foundations Program

Starting with 2023 graduates, all eligible students enrolled in the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program automatically earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Foundations (BSPF) in addition to a Pharm.D. simultaneously with no added cost, time or stress. Make the most of your time on campus by graduating with two degrees and the knowledge, skills and confidence to build a rewarding and exciting pharmacy career.

Pharm.D. graduates ineligible to receive the B.S. in Pharmacy Foundations include applicants already holding a bachelor's degree prior to starting the Pharm.D. program and student pharmacists opting to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree.

By the Numbers

#12022 U.S. News & World Report

Among Catholic Schools Of Pharmacy

#32023 NIH Funding

Among Catholic Schools Of Pharmacy

7,400+Living School Of Pharmacy Alumni

Across The United States

0-6Direct Entry Program

Guarantee Your Spot In The Professional Phase

Online Pharm.D. Program Testimonials

 
 

William Moran, Pharm.D. Candidate, 2023

William Moran, a Pharm.D. candidate in the Class of 2023 studying the Online Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program discusses the benefits of pursuing a pharmacy education online.

Benjamin Austin, Pharm.D. Candidate, 2023

Benjamin Austin, a Pharm.D. candidate in the Class of 2023 and Online Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program student pharmacist, talks about the program.

 

Online Pharm.D. Program FAQ

Our Online graduates our eligible for the same positions as any student graduating with a Pharm.D. in a traditional program. Online Program graduates start at an average salary of $112,000 per year.
No. The school does not participate in Pharm CAS.
No–we start a new class once a year. The program begins each year in August. The class functions as a cohort, going year-round for four years.
No.
Yes.
Online courses/programs offered through regionally accredited college/universities are acceptable under the same grade guidelines as on-campus courses. Check with the School of Pharmacy to see if a particular college is appropriately accredited for such courses. Please note that some online colleges and other technical schools do not have regional accreditation, and therefore their credits do not transfer to Duquesne University.
The minimum to apply is a 2.5 GPA. To be competitive, applicants should have a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Yes, very closely, and grades below a “C” grade are not accepted. If you have earned below a “C” grade in a prerequisite, you must repeat that course at a grade of “C” or better.
We look for students who appear to have the best chance of completing the program, and have a strong aptitude for Science and Math. Applicants should have excellent grades and as many prerequisites completed as possible. Students with multiple “D”, “F” and/or “W” grades will not be competitive.
Yes, we will evaluate transcripts.
Yes. Most applicants have a few courses to complete when they apply. All courses must be successfully completed by the time the program begins in May (successfully completed is defined as earning a “C” grade or better.) Acceptance to the program would be contingent upon completing those courses.
We accept applications from international students who have earned Baccalaureate degrees in the United States only. Those students MUST also meet all prerequisite requirements.
Online Doctor of Pharmacy students pay the same per-credit rate of tuition that the On-campus Doctor of Pharmacy students pay. For more information, visit our Tuition Rates page.

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers

 
 

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers

Learn More! (External Link)
 

Online Pharm.D. Program Curriculum

142 Credits

PY1 Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPT 300 Pharmaceutical Calculations 1
PHBM 350 Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism 3
PHBM 355 & Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation 4/0
PHBM 355R
PHCE 360/360R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems I/Recitation 3/0
PHBA 340W Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics 2
PHPR 341W Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I 2
PHBA 310 The American Health Care System 2
PHIN 321 Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I 0.5
PHEX 301 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I 0.5
PHAR 300 Doctor of Pharmacy Orientation Program 0
  PY1 Fall Total 18
     
PY1 Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 301 Sterile/Non-Sterile Compounding 1
PHBM 351 Biochemistry II – Metabolism, Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids 3
PHBM 356 Human Physiology and Pathology II 4
PHCE 361/361R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems II/Recitation 3/0
PHBM 352 Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry 3
PHPR 342W Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II 1
PHBA 311 Public Health and Epidemiology 2
PHIN 322 ABLE II 0.5
PHEX 302 CPD II 0.5
  PY1 Spring Total 18
     
PY1 Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 372 Intro Experiential Education I 0.5
  PY1 Summer Total 0.5
  PY1 Total 36.5
PY2 Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPT 300 Pharmaceutical Calculations 1
PHBM 350 Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism 3
PHBM 355 & Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation 4/0
PHBM 355R
PHCE 360/360R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems I/Recitation 3/0
PHBA 340W Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics 2
PHPR 341W Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I 2
PHBA 310 The American Health Care System 2
PHIN 321 Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I 0.5
PHEX 301 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I 0.5
PHAR 300 Doctor of Pharmacy Orientation Program 0
  PY2 Fall Total 18
     
PY2 Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 301 Sterile/Non-Sterile Compounding 1
PHBM 351 Biochemistry II – Metabolism, Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids 3
PHBM 356 Human Physiology and Pathology II 4
PHCE 361/361R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems II/Recitation 3/0
PHBM 352 Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry 3
PHPR 342W Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II 1
PHBA 311 Public Health and Epidemiology 2
PHIN 322 ABLE II 0.5
PHEX 302 CPD II 0.5
  PY2 Spring Total 18
     
PY2 Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 372 Intro Experiential Education I 0.5
  PY2 Summer Total 0.5
  PY2 Total 36.5
PY3 Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 443 Pharmacy Practice V: Physical and Clinical Assessment 3
PHPR 442 Pharmacy Practice VI: The Development, Implementation, Management and Evaluation of Pharmacy Services in Current and Future Pharmacy Model 3
PHBA 411 Pharmacy Management Concepts 2
PHBM 441 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Principles of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation 3
PHBM 442 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Gastroenterology  3
PHBM 403 Therapeutic Case Studies III: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHIN 469 Community Engaged Learning: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management NS OR 1
PHIN 425 ABLE V 0.5
PHEX 405 CPD V 0.5
Elective(s)   3
  PY3 Fall Total 18 OR 19
     
PY3 Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 413W Management Theory and Application 1
PHBA 412W Advanced Law and Ethics Applications 1
PHBM 443 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations 4
PHBM 444 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill 3
PHIN 490 Personalized Therapeutics: Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmaceutics 2
PHBM 404 Therapeutic Case Studies IV: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHIN 469 Community Engaged Learning: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management NS OR 1
PHIN 426 ABLE VI 0.5
PHEX 406 CPD VI 0.5
Elective(s)   6
  PY3 Spring Total 18 OR 19
  PY3 Total 36
PY4 Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 500 Pharmacist-Patient Care Network Certificate 1
PHPR 50X Required Certificate Training** - Select One (1) Option: 1
  PHPR 502 - Pharmacy & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care
  PHPR 503 - Medication Therapy Management  
  PHPR 508 - Substance Use Disorder  
  PHPR 509 - Healthcare Leadership  
PHEX 482W, 483W Option to Take Advanced Experiential Education (I, II) 4-8
  PY4 Summer Total 6-10
     
PY4 Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 482W, 483W, Advanced Experiential Education (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) 8-16
484W, 485W, 486W,
487W, 488W
PHEX 407 Continuous Professional Development VII 1
  PY4 Fall Total 9-17
     
PY4 Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 482W, 483W, Advanced Experiential Education (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) 8-16
484W, 485W, 486W,
487W, 488W
PHEX 408 Continuous Professional Development VIII 1
  PY4 Spring Total 9-17
  PY4 Total 32

Electives & Concentrations

Course Number Course Title Credits
GPSC 513 Principles of Drug Action, Design and Delivery 3
GPSC 589W Research Methods Pharmacy Administration 3
GPSC 673 Advanced Pharmacology 3
PHBA 400 Mindfulness for Clinicians 1
PHBA 423 Perspectives in Global Health 3
PHBA 426 Basics in Investments and Personal Finance 1
PHBA 427 Applications in Investments and Personal Finance 1
PHBA 428 International Pharmacy Services 2
PHBA 431 Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy 3
PHBA 433 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship 3
PHBM 468 Independent Study and Research 1-4
PHEX 489 Optional Experiential Education 4
PHIN 452 Advanced Concepts in Oncology 3
PHPR 427 Etiology Assessment & Treatment of Pain for Health Care Professionals 3
PHPR 465 SLTP in Senior Care Pharmacy 3
PHPR 468 Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability 3
PHPR 477 General Pediatrics Neonatal Pharmacy Therapy 3
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 481 Dermatological Therapeutics and Topical Delivery Systems 3
PHPR 488 Technology Pharmacy Practitioner 2
PHPR 489 Branding of Clinical Community Practice 3
PHPR 493 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills 3
PHPR 494 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II 3
PHPR 496 Urgent Topics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care 1
14 Credits Required

The Acute Care Concentration provides student pharmacists with education and training directed toward careers in Institutional Pharmacy Practice and preparation for ASHP Residencies. In didactic courses students study advanced clinical and hospital practice topics. In experiential rotations students are required to complete additional experiential rotations in Advanced Clinical Practice and are encouraged to develop a research project in conjunction with a practitioner, culminating in a poster presentation at a local or national meeting.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 493 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills I 3
PHPR 494 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II 3
  Two Elective Advanced Rotations in Acute Care/Research 8
13 Credits Required

The Ambulatory Care Concentration provides students in the professional phase of the PharmD program with an opportunity to further develop and enhance skills related to practice in this growing area.

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) defines Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as "the provision of integrated, accessible healthcare services by pharmacists who are accountable for addressing medication needs, developing sustained partnerships with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community". Ambulatory Care Pharmacy services are provided in diverse practice settings including outpatient clinics, community pharmacies, and telehealth. In 2011, BPS recognized Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as a distinct specialty within the profession by credentialing pharmacists through BCACP examination and certification. The BCACP credential is the second most common BPS credential held by pharmacists practicing in the U.S. In 2014, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists also recognized this evolution of practice by revising their mission and brand to include pharmacists practicing in ambulatory care settings.

Ambulatory care pharmacists typically train through the completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice or Community Practice Residency and some go on to complete PGY2 Ambulatory Care residencies. The data suggest that this practice area is of growing interest among pharmacy graduates. In the last 7 years, the number of Ambulatory Care PGY2 programs have more than tripled (39 in 2010 to 132 in 2017) and there are now 190 PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency programs, with many of these programs partially or entirely based in an ambulatory care practice environment.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 468 Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability 2
  Complete One (1) Elective from the Following List: 3
  PHPR 481 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHIN 452 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHPR 465 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHPR 477 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  Elective AAPE-RAM at an Approved Site 4
11 Credits Required

Community pharmacists are described as the most accessible, and one of the most trusted, healthcare professionals. Due to the vast number of prescriptions dispensed in community pharmacy, and the plethora of chain and independent pharmacies nationwide, community pharmacy employs the highest number of working pharmacists in the United States. Approximately over 70% of Duquesne pharmacy graduates each year enter into this rewarding field. As the number of pharmacy schools across the country increase, thus increasing the supply of licensed pharmacists, it is essential for job placement and security that pharmacists are well-versed in the provision of additional pharmacy services that enhance patient care outcomes, promote wellness, enhance accessibility to and affordability of medications. While this issue is addressed in the core curriculum of Collaborative Practice Agreements, we feel it is essential that our student pharmacists have the opportunity to engage in more individualized, advanced practices of a clinical community pharmacist and to have the certificate of a concentration such as this to increase their marketability to future employers. The concentration in advanced community practice enhances the new curriculum and is not duplicative.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 489 Branding Community Practice 3
  APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings 4
6 Credits Required

This concentration is designed to allow the student to begin to understand how they can take their pharmacy knowledge and apply it to developing their own unique business which can be anything from owning their own traditional independent pharmacy or starting a new clinical pharmacy business service that has never existed before in the pharmacy industry. These courses will also allow the student to self-reflect in order to understand themselves, how best to work with others and what are their strengths and weaknesses in becoming an entrepreneur.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 431 Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy 3
PHBA 433 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship 3
15 Credits Required

The geriatric concentration provides student pharmacists with additional education and training in the provision of pharmaceutical care to geriatric patients and encourages students to pursue careers in long-term care pharmacy, residencies in geriatrics and other areas within geriatric practice. The concentration culminates with a comprehensive exam similar in structure and content to the Geriatric Certification Exam.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBM 443 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations 4
PHPR 465 Special Topics in Senior Care Pharmacy 3
  Two Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) in Geriatrics 8

 

Accreditation

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):

190 S. LaSalle Street
Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60603

312.664.3575

www.acpe-accredit.org

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